Smaller Project...

This is a hand made art book/journal and my plan was to finish it by the first of this year.  Oh well...I have three more spreads, some tweaking and then it will be done!  Maybe by my birthday, as in June...😏

“The Puppeteer”

Finally finished this piece and am onward to finishing up some smaller projects.  This work is layered with a lot of innuendos which I will not point out to you! They are yours to find...basically very pleased with the piece -enjoy

Working On Smalls

 I have been working on smalls-2 1/2 x 3 1/2”- ACEOs and selling them on Ebay.  This is probably not a good idea because I have a show I need to be painting for in August.  However, human nature being what is is...I am doing what I want to be doing!

The greatest pleasure I have as an older adult ( dare I say senior) is that I get to pick and choose what I want to do.  And I can always rationalize these small pieces as ‘practice’ for larger works.

so...That is my story and I am sticking to it....

Work in progress...

Usually I don’t post on this site unfinished work but time in the studio has been sparse as it always is this time of year and I wanted to check in with everyone!

This piece is titled, ‘the puppeteer’. Not all pieces have a name this early in the game but this one knew its’ name immediately.  Will post the finished piece probably in January.  How I long for dismal days when I hunker down in my studio,  but for now...I have to go bake some holiday cookies.

I have been busy....

As you know, I love to take online classes so that I do not get stale.  Quite a few of the online projects would utilize photos or magazine images in collage projects.  I never felt comfortable using someone else's work.  Sooo...I decided to do a small series (9) of monochromatic collage pieces using pieces from my own works.  An arm might be used from one image and a body from another-and this created new images and gave me the freedom to experiment with a lot of different processes.  Here are three of the nine pieces. You will note that a little color did creep in! Could not help myself.

The holidays are upon us and little to nothing gets done in my studio.  As an artist I love dreary days, cold weather, and any excuse not to go out.  Studio time is precious....But it is known that we find joy if we live in the moment.. so I remind myself daily to embrace the craziness of the season... may the end of this year bring you many blessings...love from my heart to you....di

Babies

This piece I am titling, "Babies".  It is mixed media/acrylic and 20"x 20" on canvas.  I started this piece before we went on a month vacation ( a 23 day cruise including going through the Panama Canal). We just returned and I got to get back in the studio, tweak this piece a little, and finally finish it.

This time of the year is always crazy with the holidays approaching and things to do.  We have 2000 kids that trick or treat in our neighborhood, which will happen this Thursday night.  I have come to love January where everything just pauses and resets.

Now to do some ornaments for a fund raising activity......it is all good....di

Birdie Verdi

Newest work....To describe my work, I would say...it is happy and dreamlike.  There does not have to be a definitive meaning to it.  The work is to make you pause, reflex, and wonder a bit.

Marc Chagall's work is an inspiration to me.  One of my favorite quotes of his is, "if you can't paint love, what is there worth painting?".  I hope that my work is filled with love....a rather big order but one can hope...

"A Walk in the Park"

I have been painting some pieces lately that I am not sure "why?".  Going with the flow and thinking that I am suppose to go down this path.  I have no idea where the destination is--but enjoying the journey, kinda...
#difergiart

"I See You"

This is such a sweet piece.  It sold the first day I posted it on facebook.  "I See You",  is available in my Etsy shop (Difergi) in an 8x10" print.  This piece just seems to capture a moment in time that is filled with wonder.  Sometimes an artist creates something that is magical and I feel that this is one of those times.

Midnight Ballerina

Have no clue what I was thinking when I started this piece.  But when I looked at all the scribbles and colors I had placed on the canvas, a ballerina emerged.  I see the girl dreaming of becoming a ballerina in the 'Midnight Circus", which is invaded with characters that only come out in the darkest and most whimsical part of the night.  So...sometimes you just let things happen.....

All Creatures Great and Small

Newest piece created for a local show themed, "All Creatures Great and Small".  Had fun interpreting the idea in my own style. Celebrating man and nature always.....Di

This piece is acrylic and 24" x 34" on canvas.

Sweetness....

 The theme of a local show I am entering in June
 is, "All Creatures Great and Small, the animal show."  I have two pieces that I am entering that are 'my style'.  They are crazy stylized abstracted imagery.  Because I feel that some people probably think that I just can not paint, I am entering this third piece (you can have up to three), which is done in a more classical style.  It has already sold which tells you I probably should paint more conservatively and make more $$.  But, alas, I paint with my own voice.  Having said all that, I do have to admit that the rabbit is really sweet.

"Day Dreaming"

This piece reminds me of me when I am in a meeting and my mind wanders.  This of course happens at about 3 minutes into the meeting.  I enter the world of my imagination and anything can happen.  It is a great place!  

Titled, "Day Dreaming", it is 12"x 16" and acrylic.

For You

"For You"

This is my newest piece.  I am calling it, "For You".  I am not going to tell you what it means, I will just let it talk to you personally.  It is a smaller piece (12"x16") and is acrylic.

Have a great conversation..... ;-)  I have to get back to work....di

Extraordinary is the Ordinary

Extraordinary is the Ordinary

Life is such a gift.

I use a lot of visual symbols as part of my visual stories and chairs for me, represent stable, functional, every day existence.  Yet, in my mind, they become more. They can become a magical source of joy, possibilities, and wonder. Every day is filled with common daily living but if you look closely, all things contain a seed of enigmatic possibilities.

When the ordinary becomes extraordinary that for me begins a story.

"The Ringmaster and Friends"

I think this is such a sweet piece.  It is only 11"x 14", so it is a small work for me.  If you follow my work, you will recognize these  characters from my 'village series'.  The Village is a magical place full of kindness and wonder and it is such a joy to paint these quirky characters.

This jewel has already found it's forever home in Canada.  I have to admit that I will miss it.

Monday

"Monday"

You haven't heard from me for a while but I have been diligently working.  This is a good size piece (30x48) with mixed media and I have titled it, "Monday".  If you scroll down a bit you will see a piece called, "Sunday".  So now you see where I am going with this. Hopefully, after you view this new piece, you can get an idea of what I think about society and cell phones.  As you know, an artist has to document her reactions to the times.

I also have been notified that this site may be discontinued in the near future.  If I read the notice right-the server will not be serving.  So I have created a new website www.difergi.com and hope you will visit me there.  Also, I almost daily post on Facebook as DiFergi's and sell on Etsy, (my store is Difergi) ....

So you can see that though I do not particularly like cell phones....Social media is my friend.  Find me :-)

A NEW VENTURE

This is kind of exciting for me! My art work is going to be featured as puzzles by the Art & Fable Puzzle company.  (you can find on facebook and instagram) What an awesome opportunity to have my work put in front of the public.  The first puzzle is currently in production and believe me, I will let you know when it is available and where to purchase.  Might I suggest some early holiday shopping.  Smiling from ear to ear-this is a good thing.  Di

Reaching for a compromise....

No name yet...trying to meld my 'village' characters into a more sophisticated style and it is taking me on quite a journey!  Getting there, but slowly, partly because the holiday season seems to have endless distractions.  But all is great and life/art evolves as it is suppose to.  For all of you -I wish a prosperous and content New Year...Thanks for journeying with me this year.....di

Family and commitment...

"We are the Village"

This is for a group of special friends and they are truly
'the village that raises the child'.  They are bonded together by their sisterhood, morals, and commitment to their families.

I really enjoyed painting this for them and am in awe of their inner strength and love for each other.

Faces

Hidden Secrets

Winter Maidens

I seem to be doing a lot of faces lately so I think I will do a couple animal paintings next to break up the flow.  Faces have always been something I am drawn to, for whatever reason and I suspect I will always return to them.  Enjoy....di

Three Faces

This was a class exercise and I really love it!  Yes, it is a bit strange, etc, but I love losing the forms, and the texturing of the paint.  I am currently doing another one just to see what happens and how I can incorporate it into my current work.  Wish me luck.....art has it own path of discovery...di

I LOVE to PAINT....

As a painter, I LOVE TO PAINT.  I love the color, texture, visual feel, and every little thing about painting.

This piece was last week's class from LFI2018, where we were to paint a portrait in the style of Lucien Freud.  Of course mine is not near what his work represents BUT I really loved doing a more realistic approach than I usually do.

It is always fun to experiment and get outside of a series that you are working on.

So I am sharing with you ...a passion....

Dance with the chairs....

Life is Magical

Have been prolific lately...I think it is because I was off visiting for almost two weeks with family and when I returned I just had a lot of creative energy to let out.  That is my theory anyway.

This piece is 30x30, acrylic on canvas and I am calling it, "Life is Magical".  I use to use a lot of chairs in my work.  For me, they symbolized that the ordinary can be extraordinary.  Many times, I have use chairs to express the whimsy and magic in our imaginations/spirits.

So anyway...here is my newest piece. Dance with the chairs! Enjoy....

"The Night Circus"

Sometimes you have a favorite painting and this is one of those times.  Perhaps it is because of my love affair with deep blue...maybe because I love a simple, pure image.  I do not know why but I do love this piece.  I am calling it, "Night Circus", because it reminds me of a book I once read.  The circus in the book was only black and white but still, I find the magic of that circus in this painting.

 

Frames Gifted to Me....Yay

"Diaspora"

 A good friend of mine, just gifted me with about 40 frames. She just started me on a new goal!  It is my intention to fill those frames in the upcoming year.  Some of the frames are standard sizes and some are oddball dimensions.  These two works are on paper (because I can trim the paper to fit) and will both go into gold frames.  This project is the type I like.  I have a bit of a challenge.

These two pieces are fairly large for a paper image.  The both measure 26"L x 22"H. They are acrylic and are slated for a small showing in December/January.

To be honest, I am not sure where I was going with them ...but I do like them both. :-)

"Where Do We Go From Here?"

"Sunday"

"Sunday"

This I am calling "Sunday"..it is one of those pieces that  I am not quite sure of yet but I am pretty sure that it is done.  It is fairly large, 36"x 36" and is acrylic.

My small polka dot horse is 'photo bombing' as he is my symbol for unconditional love.  The little girl in the green dress is quite in love with him! If there is anything we should treasure, especially on Sunday, it is unconditional love.  IMHO

This piece has a real folk art feel to it.  Who knew??? I see a bit of Gauguin and who knows who else in it. Maybe ME!

Enjoy...

Newest in "Village Series"

"Remembering and Waiting"

Could not decide if she was remembering or waiting.  So in order to not decide, I elected to use both in the title.  What is she waiting for?  What is she remembering?  What are we all  remembering and waiting for?   Great questions, and it is up to you, the viewer to decide.  Not me though-- I have my own theories.

This is 18x24, acrylic on paper.... enjoy!

Having fun with COLOR!!!!

Hats

Sultry

Good thing that I am not afraid of color!  What fun pieces to do.  For the top one I got to dig out my ancient oil pastels and go to town.  I am definitely going to do more of these.

I have a Renoir challenge coming up and I think I am going to do a contemporary party scene somewhat in the styles of these two pieces.  A big piece!  Now all I have to do is find a party to go to and take pictures.  In my small little town that may be a challenge...hmmmm, must throw party myself- great a picture of a bunch of old people!  Squash that idea...

"My Journey, My Way"

My Journey, My Way

This is a bit different than the usual but it was a class challenge.  I really like it.  Having the softness of an impressionistic style creates a somewhat unreal atmosphere that I like.

It is 30x36 I think, so it is a good size piece.  Think I want to hang it in my house for a while...now, to find a place, therein lies the problem...hey, there are worse problems...lol
di

The Gift of Life

The is just a 'thankful piece', rejoicing in being on this planet, with it's resources, and living our roles in this lifetime.  Somewhat sweet but I like it.

Separated Families

"With Regrets"

One would have to be very hard-hearted to not feel for the families that have been separated from their children during this immigration fiasco.  What a mess!  I know there are many sides to all issues but I can not help but empathize with the mothers and fathers that do not know where their children are.  I try not to be political but sometimes it just seeps out from my heart.

A Pat on the Back!!!

BEST OF SHOW!  This was specifically done for a themed show at the Athens Living Heritage Museum.  The show's theme was 'Rural Life Reflections", and I was awarded best of show and felt very honored.  The title of the piece is, "Rural America 2018".

Of course, this is my painting style but the genre was definitely not.  It is good to step outside of my own box and stretch a little.  Won a little cash, a ribbon, and all is good.

Meanwhile, going to the art store today and will get some new larger canvases...back to work...Blessings

All About the Accessories

"It is All About the Accessories"

This is a little more graphic in style than I usually do. This week, I was challenged to apply Egon Schiele's techniques to my own work.  His work is masterfully done but I have to say I am not wild about his subject matter.  He definitely had some issues.  He has a drawing style so I tried to incorporate his line work, angular elongated  forms, and some of his style brushwork to my own work.

The exercise was fun and I pushed myself.  Maybe baby steps but I am heading in the right direction. Learning and growing because after all...if you stop growing you start dying...and I DO NOT want that!  This will be part of my "urban girls" series...of which I have two now...(not sure that even qualifies for a series, oh well,)...

Afloat

This piece is in reference to Chagall's dreamlike paintings. It is titled, "Afloat", and is 11 x 14 inches, acrylic on paper.

 My work is narrative for the most part.  To me, there is an intrigue to narrative art...instead of just being an object to view, narrative art is an invitation to stop and create your own story.  Each viewer can relate to a piece in their own way.

Loving to read, I think I carried that over to my artwork.  A good story has  many plot twists and many possible endings.  Yes, my works can be 'weird' ...but weird makes you ponder.  I like that!

This piece is layered with potential meaning....hmmmm

"I See"

Newest piece that I am titling, "I See".

No wisdom or wit today...got to get to work...

☺☺☺

Glimpse into my day....

 I am packaging pieces to take to galleries and stores today.  I really enjoy this part because they look so crisp and pretty.  Each piece has to be photographed (for prints), backed, and wrapped.

These particular artworks are all 18"x 24" done on paper.  Love working on paper (special heavy duty kind) because the pieces are easier to store and show.  However, framing for shows is more expensive than canvas so that is definitely a negative.

Okay, back to work for me....smile!

Two small works...

"Searching for Wisdom"

"Where do we go from Here?"

I finished up these two smaller paintings (12"x 12") this past week and I am liking them....The first is pretty standard in my series of searching/trying to be better 'enlightened' beings.  I like the open cranium, in that to me, it represents the processing of information and dissimulation of knowledge.

The second piece is a response to the chaos in the world today.  The second one pretty much summarizes the way I feel at the moment...pretty helpless.  Again it is an artistic response to the world today (in my stylized imagery sort of way).

So...enough soul baring...have a great day and honor the present....di

"Not Adele"

Have had company--yes it is summer 'vacation' time--and love having them, but I do not have as much time in my studio.  So, I paint when I can. I am trying to catch up on some challenges from some classes (the ones I especially want to do) and this is a response to Klimt.  I LOVE Klimt.  He is so obsessive.  His abstractions of the figures into the background is amazing.  Unfortunately, I did not capture that in my painting--next time I promise--but she is pretty.

The name of the piece is, "Not Adele", because Adele is one of Klimt's favorite models (love) that he painted many times over.

Now, I have to go and remake beds....I think I am one of the few people who 'cherish' winter...

"Fissures"

Sometimes, I like to flatter myself and say that I use, 'simple forms for complex thoughts'.  This is actually a political piece!  I feel helpless as I watch what is going on in the world today and in my 'head' (a dangerous place), I see the wise ones watching as we destroy ourselves and misplace our ideologies.  Just writing this makes me sad.

Now... that I have depressed everyone and no one will like this painting anymore, I guess I should stop writing....BUT,  I do think it is a good piece of artwork because true art (IMHO) must reflect our lives and the times!! ...di

Getting Ready....

 The weeks before a show involve a lot of detail work!  There are labels to submit, prices to assign, wrapping, and sorting.  The biggest job is selecting the work that will be in each show.  The work should be cohesive (a body) and of course you want your best work out there.  Sometimes there is a frantic effort to finish what you are sure will be your best piece ever or in my case this time...an effort to have enough 'smalls' so that anyone can afford an original piece of my art.

Everything is in order...I think, I have everything done except the more smalls the better.  Working on those everyday.  These particular small pieces (4x6") sell at a show for $30 and are original, painted, mixed media pieces.  They are actually fun to do because the imagination can go crazy.  There is more time in them than I am monetarily rewarded for but oh wellllll'....

The show is at Broadway Studios and Gallery, Knoxville, TN for the month of June.  The opening happens to be June 1...which is my birthday, so that is kind of fun.  There are not too many places I would rather be on my birthday other that at a gallery sharing my artwork!